ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) - At least 13 people, including 4 kids, were eliminated in 2 different stampedes in Nigeria as large crowds collected to collect food and clothing products dispersed at annual Christmas events, the cops said Saturday.

The 2 accidents came days after another such stampede in Africa ´ s most populous nation, amidst a growing trend by local organizations, churches and people to organize fundraiser ahead of Christmas, as the nation struggles with the worst cost-of-living crisis in a generation.

Ten individuals were eliminated in the first stampede in the early hours at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama, an upmarket part of the capital, Abuja, cops spokesperson Josephine Adeh stated in a statement, including that more than 1,000 individuals have been left from the church.

There was a crowd surge at one of the church gates, as lots tried to enter the facilities at around 4 a.m., hours before the gift items were to be shared, witnesses said, pointing out that some had been waiting since the previous night.

"The way they were rushing to get in, some people were falling and a few of them were old," Loveth Inyang, a witness. Inyang said he managed to save one child as his mother struggled in the surge.

Three people passed away in a similar crush later on in the southeastern Anambra state's Okija town at a charity occasion arranged by a philanthropist, the state cops said.

"The event had not even begun when the rush began," authorities representative Tochukwu Ikenga said. There could be more deaths recorded as officers investigate the incident, he stated.

Viral video footage that seemed from the Abuja scene showed lifeless bodies pushing the ground as individuals yelled for help. A few of the hurt have been treated and released while others continue to receive treatment, authorities stated.

The church canceled the charity event with bags of rice and clothes items still arranged within the facilities.

As the church held a wedding after the crowd was left, the misery and unhappiness stayed palpable even as families and friends gathered for wedding images.

Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu revealed his sympathy with the victims' households and asked states and pertinent authorities to enforce stringent crowd control steps.

The current stampedes in Nigeria have actually raised questions about safety procedures in such events. Several children were killed on Wednesday this week when a local foundation arranged a well-attended funfair to disperse present products and food to kids in southwestern Oyo state.

After the current catastrophe, the authorities in Abuja announced that prior consent should be gotten before such charity drive are arranged.

The present economic challenge under Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, who assured "renewed hope" when he was sworn into workplace in May 2023, is blamed on rising inflation that is at a 28-year high and the government ´ s economic policies that have actually pushed the local currency to tape low versus the dollar.

Frustration over the cost-of-living crisis has caused mass demonstrations in current months. In August, at least 20 people were shot dead and numerous others were apprehended at demonstrations demanding better chances and jobs for young people.